Surgical instrument



1,640,311 Aug. 23,1927. I W Q DAWES SURGICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 13.1925 Wiwwe attenua! atented Aug; 23, 1927,

UNITED STATES' WILJARD C. DAWES, 0F BOZEMAN,

' PATENT OFFICE..

MONTANA.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

f Application filed January urgical instruprovision of an instrumentwhich will obviate any injurious effect upon the mother. i stili furtherobject of the invention is the provision of an instrument of thisA charsacter which is ly eii'icient ior the purpose intended.

Giner objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following'v description.A

in the accompanying drawings forming a aart of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved invention, n

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal seotional view tali-en thru thecenter of the device,

compact, strong and extreme- Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation showing Ythe extremity of the device in open position, Figure l is a transversesectional view taken on the line -l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and

.Figure 6 is a similar view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

ln th drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 generally indicatesa relatively long slender tubular casing member,preferablyvfrustoconical in form. The smaller extremity of Vtne caeung10 is provided with a reduced projection or nipple 11, the same beingexternally screw threaded and adapted to engage suitable threads formedin oneV extremity of a substantially smaller casing ortip member 12.rlhis tip is provided primarily for convenient cleaning and is adaptedto snuglyr lit the extremity of the casing 10 and form a continuationthereof, the connection between the tip and the casing being securelymade in order to provide a smooth surface. The larger eiltremityof thecasing 10 is also pro- 'vided with external screw threads for thepurpose of receiving thereon a cap member 13, this cap being providedwith internal screw threads in order to engage the threads formed on thecasing. The cap substantially encloses one extremity of the casing,

ent which will hasteny 1a, 1925. semaine. 2,225.

with the exception of a comparatively small opening;formed` in thecenter thereof, the

pui-.pose of which will be hereinafter de-V scribed.

.A comparatively long cylindrical rod or needle 14 yis movably mountedwithin the slightly smallerv than the diameter of the opening formed inthe cap. 13,V permitting the rod to readily reciprocate therethrough.One extremity of thisY rod is tapered to a fine or needle point as shownat 15, this end of the rod being normally enclosed by the small p end ofthe casing or tip 12. The opposite extremity of the rod 14 is welded orotherwise secured to the enclosed eXtremityof a sleeve 1G, this sleevepartially enclosing one extremity of the rod and adapted to provide aprotector.

As it is desirable to cause the pointed extremity of the rod to benormally disposed within the casing, a coiled spring 17 is positionedabout one extremity of the rod, between the sleeve and closure cap, theposition of the spring causing the rod to move thru the casing, thismovement being re-l stricted by a collar 18 secured to the rod by yacotter pin or any suitable manner. In order to permit convenientactuation of the rod within the casing, I provide a continuous handle19, substantiallyy oval in form adapted to permit well controlledmovement thereof.

, In use, the device is inserted into the vagina in the closed position,as shown in Fig. 1, the vagina being spread bythe fingers for itsreception. l/Vhen the membranes are distended by the labor pains, therod 14 is moved forward by means of the handle, the pointed extremitypassing thru the end of the casing and causing the membranes to bepunctured. The instrument is particularly constructed to enablephysicians to perform Vthis 'operation conveniently and safely. It iscommon practice to em loy an instrument as the mouse tooth orceps forthis purpose, but, as is well known, these forceps perform the operationwith great difficulty and often cause pinching of the womb, which greatcare must bel taken to avoid.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes as to the shape, size and arrangements of parts rmay beresorted to without departing from the casing 10, lthe diameter of therod being spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus claim:

l. A surgical instrument comprising in combination, a rod tapered to afine point at one extremity, a tapered casing enclosing the greaterportion lof the rod and normally described my invention, I

.thevpointed extremity thereof, a cap mounted upon one extremity of thecasing, a spring member mounted upon the rod at the end opposite thepointed extremity and adapted to normally force the pointed eX- tremityto a position Within the casing, a sleeve member secured to the sameextrem ity of the rod adapted to. enclose a portion of the spring, and ahandle secured to the sleeve adapted to permit operation of the rodthrough the casing.

2. An instrument of the character described,` comprising an elongatedmembrane penetrating needle, an elongated tubular housing closed at oneend and encasing the major portion of the needle and normallyincludingthe point thereof, the other end of said needle projectingthrough the closed ture.

VILLARD C. DAVVES.

